Nearby

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Nearby" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate proximity or closeness to a particular location or object. Example: "There is a coffee shop nearby that serves excellent pastries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Much of Lubitz's social life appears to have taken place in the nearby city of Koblenz.

The Guardian

Nearby, the men had amassed a pile of ash-grey debris, from which a single pink high heel protruded.

The Guardian

He has since been identified as a 22-year-old called Daniele - investigators have not released his surname - who, until recently, worked in a nearby factory.

The Guardian

Nearby juxtaposition of the line "In God we trust", though, is the source of many American conundrums.

The Guardian

The Walls of Jerusalem national park is to the north, while mount Ossa, Tasmania's highest point, is nearby.

The Guardian - Travel

There's a reason they're so popular, they're generally quite safe, and there's usually a good pub or two nearby.

The Guardian

Nearby, a colleague who had carried out four burials that day, was less sanguine.

The Guardian

"Not even with the pope would there have been all this fuss," exclaimed Diana Cucereavii, a waitress in a cafe nearby.

The Guardian - Film

There are mules and camels to ride and mountain bikes to rent, but I couldn't resist trying the nine-hole "cross country" golf course, which runs along a nearby rocky riverbed and is more akin to crazy golf.

The Guardian - Travel

"Even at 18, a mentally voracious young woman cannot live entirely upon scenery," she wrote, adding that she would have been in danger of "dying of spontaneous combustion" had she not had her diary to write and an interesting curate in a nearby village.

The Guardian - Film

This is estate-agent speak for "visible signs of poverty nearby" – and it is accompanied by the tacit assumption that in a few years' time the area will be completely gentrified.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Nearby" to clearly indicate that something is in close proximity without specifying the exact distance. This helps create a sense of convenience and accessibility for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "Nearby" when you need to provide precise distances (e.g., "2 kilometers away"). "Nearby" is best for general proximity rather than exact measurements.

Linguistic Context

The word "Nearby" functions primarily as an adverb or adjective, modifying nouns or verbs to indicate proximity. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English. It helps to specify that something is located in the immediate surrounding area.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Travel

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Nearby" is a versatile term used to indicate that something is in close proximity to a specific location. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used in English. It functions as both an adverb and an adjective, primarily in neutral contexts like news, travel, and business. To enhance clarity, avoid using "Nearby" when precise distances are needed, and consider alternatives like "in close proximity" or "adjacent to" for different levels of formality. Understanding these nuances ensures accurate and effective communication using the term "Nearby".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

In close proximity

Emphasizes the nearness in location, often used in formal contexts.

Adjacent to

Indicates that two things are directly next to each other.

In the vicinity

Indicates a general area around a specific location, less precise than "Nearby".

A short distance away

Specifies that the location is not far, but doesn't imply immediate proximity.

Just around the corner

Implies very close proximity, often within a short walking distance.

A stone's throw away

Suggests a very short distance, easily reachable.

In the neighborhood

Refers to the general area surrounding a place, particularly in a residential context.

Within reach

Highlights the accessibility or availability due to close distance.

In the locale

A more formal way of indicating a general area or district.

Close at hand

Emphasizes the convenience of having something easily accessible.

FAQs

How can I use "Nearby" in a sentence?

You can use "Nearby" to indicate that something is in close proximity to a particular location. For example, "There is a great restaurant nearby" or "He works in a nearby town".

What can I say instead of "Nearby"?

Alternatives to "Nearby" include "in close proximity", "in the vicinity", or "adjacent to", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "near by" as two words?

No, the correct form is "Nearby" as one word. "Near by" as two words is grammatically incorrect when used to describe something in close proximity. However, "near by" can appear as two separate words in other sentence structures, but with a different meaning.

What's the difference between "Nearby" and "Close"?

"Nearby" typically refers to a location in the immediate surrounding area, whereas "Close" can refer to both physical proximity and emotional closeness. You might say "There's a park nearby", indicating its location, but "We are close friends" indicates a personal relationship.